6 October 2010 A total donation of
NZ$634,500 was transferred last Friday, October 1st, to the Red
Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal bank account in Christchurch, New Zealand.

On the same day,
the Coordinating Committee of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund took out
a full-page advertisement in the Christchurch newspaper, The Press, with the
headline, "'OFA ATU, CHRISTCHURCH!", and the message addressed to the Lord
Mayor and the People of Christchurch, which stated:

"Please
accept this small gift from all the People and the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga. This gift is tiny and
insignificant but it comes from the depths of our hearts. With it comes our
prayers and hopes that with God's help, you will continue to rebuild and
recover from the devastating earthquake."

The backdrop of the
message was a full page colour photograph of a Tonga High School
student holding a Christchurch Earthquake Appeal donation box accepting a
donation from the occupants of a passing vehicle on Fatafehi Road during the first the
radio-thon.

The Prime Minister Dr. the Hon Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele
also informed the Lord Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. Bob Parker of the donation
during a brief visit to Christchurch last Friday. He also met with government
and community leaders and toured some of the homes and buildings damaged by the
earthquake.

The donation that
was transferred last Friday was equal to TOP$891,694. As of Tuesday, 5 October,
the Coordinating Committee had TOP$4,500 in its bank account, and there were a
few pledges outstanding. The balance together with any further donations will
also be transferred to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal next week.

The Coordinating Committee
in its meeting on Tuesday also decided to close the bank accounts that were
opened to receive donations with the ANZ Bank and the Tonga Development Bank.
The only bank account that is still open is the one with the Westpac Bank of Tonga
but that will also be closed on Friday, 8th October.